Junior School Report – February 2, 2018

The 2018 school year has started smoothly in the St Patrick’s College Junior School. The new Year 7 students have entered the College with a good degree of enthusiasm and eagerness to get involved in the College and all it has to offer. Our teachers have worked for many hours to ensure that curriculum, class groups, timetables and materials are ready to go so as we can provide quality learning experiences for the students in our care.

The many Year 7’s that I have spoken have indicated that they are enjoying the many things that St Patrick’s has to offer. I encourage every Year 7 boy to become involved with some activity around the College, whether it be sporting, cultural or in the social justice sphere. By becoming involved in a co-curricular activity it is an excellent way for the boys to get to know other students and members of staff.

Please be aware that from time to time your son may well feel uncertain or anxious about some aspect of his schooling. This is normal and natural and every student will feel this way from time to time. It is important that parents support their sons and enable them to deal with issues without necessarily fighting their -battles- for them.

Parents can assist by ensuring that the school timetable is posted is a prominent place and are reminded to refer to it to assist with planning and the organization of study and materials.

If you do have any concerns regarding your son’s transition to secondary schooling please contact your son’s Pastoral Tutor as a first port of call.

Pastoral Tutors:

Our Pastoral tutors (homeroom teachers) are the first port of call for any issues or concerns that parents may have regarding their son, here at St Patrick’s.

Pastoral tutors are easily contactable via email and this means of communication should ensure a timely reply to any queries. All staff email addresses follow the same format e.g.: Gerard Willis Webb- gwillis@stpats.vic.edu.au, Jacinta Burge- jburge@stpats.vic.edu.au etc-¦

For a list of the Junior School Pastoral Tutors please refer to the table below:

7A – Tom Ferguson	8A – Nic Joosten
7B – Jarrod Ryan	8B – Fiona Wilson
7C – Jacinta Reidy	8C – David Carpenter
7D – Robyn Cocomazzo	8D – Ursula Bridges
7E – Kerryn Parkinson	8E – Peter Brady
7F – Jenny Willis	8F – Monique Allen
7G – Margaret Dodd	8G – Melissa Delaland
7H – Shannon Thompson	8H – Matt Miller
7I – Brett Earl	8I – Connor Bourke
–	8J – Katrina Bird

Homework:

One of the greatest challenges facing students commencing their secondary education is the ability to manage and plan their study program. According to College Policy, it is recommended that boys in Years 7 & 8 set aside 1-1.5 hours per weeknight for study and completion of homework. An expectation of 1-1.5 hours of homework over each weekend is also a recommendation.

The development of sound study habits is of utmost importance to your son’s development as a student. It is important that your son has:

• A designated area in which to study away from distractions such as Television and computer games etc-¦
• A designated study time each night- it is of vital importance to establish a routine.
• The foresight to manage time effectively. To work around sporting and other commitments throughout the week
• The ability to record tasks for completion in the App4 Student Diary on the iPad. This takes the guesswork out of what needs to be completed on a nightly basis.

If you have any queries or concerns regarding homework or assignment work please contact your son’s subject teacher to clarify the situation.

Year 7 Camps

Year 7 camps will be underway next week with boys and staff from 7A,7B, 7C will be attending the Log Cabin Lodge near Creswick. During the camps the boys will participate in activities such as canoeing, confidence courses, leadership and teamwork activities as well as learning the College song and the College War Cry.

The camp is a very important stage in the induction process into St Patrick’s. It is an opportunity for our boys to get to know the other boys in their pastoral group, to make new friends and forge positive relationships with their teachers.

Please refer to the table below for the camps schedule:

–

–	Classes
Camp 1 Wednesday 7/2/18 -“ Friday 9/2/18	7A 7B 7C
Camp 2 Monday 12/2/18 Wednesday 14/2/18	7D 7E 7F
Camp 3 Wednesday 14/2/18 -“ Friday 16/2/18	7G 7H 7I

Items of Value

All boys in the Junior School are reminded that any items of value should be stored in their lockers whilst at school.

Items such as phones, iPods, wallets, money and suit coats should be placed in lockers at the commencement of the school day and only removed when required.

IPads should be stored in lockers during recess and lunch breaks and only removed for classes. They must be taken home at the end of the school day.